Outfit lab for pink top - YouLookFab Forum

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Outfit lab for pink top

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I bought this top last month (October) in preparation for our spring and summer. It has not been quite warm enough yet to wear it but getting close as I am in a different T-shirt today. It’s for hopefully both work and casual. It’s a wee bit long I think but the size down sat too tightly against my hips so I preferred this looser version.
I am showing options with my 2 white pants, one cropped and one is the 2021 white jeans, plus the last photo is with navy pants. I have many different shoes and it has lots of colours.
Which options do Fabbers like best?
1/2: crops with 2023 pink heeled sandals
3: crops with pointy pink party shoes
4: crops with yellow loafers
5: crops with green sandals
6: crops with orange sandals
7: crops with old (dying) gold/bright colours 2018 sandals
8: jeans with same gold sandals
9: navy pants with same gold sandals.
I don’t think I like the navy pants with it?
Any of the other shoes could be tried with the white jeans too.

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Dressing

31 replies

Latest reply was from Firecracker (Sharan)

Irina

Veteran

I like #1,2 and #4 the most.

Lovely top but it does seem a bit too long. As a fellow petite, I also have to deal with tops often being too long on me. Do you ever alter yours?

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I haven’t… you did suggest it to me re a different top on one other post. I got my tulle skirt made smaller to fit me after weight loss and it cost $70 which I think was more than the original on sale cost of the skirt. I might be a bit too tight-wad for alterations unless I actually can’t wear the garment without them, like the skirt? What sort of range of cost do you find when you do alterations?
I might be silly not to do them.. I am not sure?

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Jenni, it's a pretty and potentially versatile top! I prefer it with lighter pants and any of the shoes, really -- as you say, it has lots of colours so can work in multiple ways. I think it could work with darker trousers, too. Especially if you were wearing it with a topper toned to the trousers in some way or that graduated the tones, i.e. a mid-tone topper with darker trousers. But it seems a bit easier to pair it with light coloured bottoms.

I agree with Irina that altering it would make a huge difference to the proportions, and adjusting the proportions will make it so much easier to wear! I think you've chosen the right size -- it's just too long for you. (Sigh...I know the feeling). If alterations seem like too much trouble, you could also tuck or semi-tuck, but I think you do not like to do that. Still, you might experiment with this option. it's a cheaper way of getting the proportions the way you want them.

An alteration like this is simple -- just measure the length that works, and make a straight cut and new hem. It's not like dealing with a waistband, so should not be as costly as altering a skirt. Do you have a friend who can sew? It's the kind of thing a sewist can do in an instant.

I have had tops shortened for $10 to $15 CAD. Here are some tops I shortened so they would work on my shorter proportions. The Everlane top was much longer on me than on the model. I shortened it to the top of my hip bone (so, shorter than it appears on the model.)

The Vince dress was above the knee on me and I didn't want to wear it that way so I shortened it to a blouse length -- can be worn tucked or loose but is not as long a tunic.

Yes, this added to the price of the items. But now I wear them -- whereas I would have found them much more difficult to wear in their original proportions.

Admittedly, I don't tend to do this with knit tops. But with my knits, if they are not short enough for me, I will tuck or semi-tuck them.

The City Stripe V-Neck Top

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Vince Double Layer Shirtdress

$395.00 $157.97

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Lisa

Veteran

This is such a versatile top and the colors are lovely on you! I like it with the lighter pants and any color shoe, you can pick the shoes based on your mood.

I'm with others on the top length looks too long to wear untucked. I semi tuck my tops a lot, because the same thing happens to me (tops are too long for my torso). I like a semi tuck because it's a more casual vibe for an outfit which fits my current style well. Also, sometimes I'm not in a full tuck mood (or I just don't like a certain tops with a full tuck). If you've never tried a semi tuck, it might be worth a try.

I do understand not wanting to do alterations. I hate when I have to do them too. I don't have a good tailor close to home and when I do tailoring at Nordstrom's it means two trips (one to drop off, one to pick up) which is 4 hours of driving, because it's one hour each way. It's such a pain, but alterations can make a huge difference in the fit of a piece.

I have tried fabric tape in the past, but you can't wash clothes with the tape on them and I've only tried fabric tape for jeans and pants, not on knit tops so I don't know if that would work.

Helen247

Have you tried a belt?
Not sure if you like wearing a belt but it would be worth a try.

Helen247

But having it made shorter is definitely an easy fix, it would also give you an opportunity to find a seamstress for other possible alterations.

slim cat

Veteran

Very pretty - love it best in #1 ( playful and dressy ) but it works pretty well with most of your shoes .

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I do have a local seamstress I can go to- she did a good job on the aforementioned tulle skirt for the $70. I might get a quote on the shortening. In the meantime I could try a belt with the white jeans (did that with my earlier top Irina had suggested shortening also) and maybe try a semi tuck with the cropped, though not sure I will like it.

Star

Veteran

Unusually for me I prefer it with the lighter pants. Usually I am all for contrast but not in this case. All the shoes are good, but not a fan of the closed shoes with the crops as it loses it's summer vibe. The length of the top is not such a deal breaker for me. I hate to tuck and don't like belts (on myself). I also prefer a slightly longer top. If you can do it for a few dollars yes. I won't pay more for alterations than the item initially cost.

Katerina

Veteran

I like the top best with both the light trousers. All the shoes you have tried work nicely and create various vibes. I also like the top with the navy trousers. Thinking about shoes here - how about wearing closed toe shoes here, like no 3 or 4? It might balance the darker trousers - just a thought. This combination will be very nice with a topper, as Sus has said.
Re the length - sounds you have a plan. For me, the length is not a dealbreaker either.

bj1111

Veteran

If you are handy, can cut a straight line, fold and iron, fusing tape may be good enough for a simple hem

https://www.amazon.com/Hemming.....#038;psc=1

Otherwise, I factor in the cost of the alteration in the price. I find it makes a difference between a nice outfit and a killer outfit

Ps: come over and I’ll do all your simple hems for you

JAileen

Veteran

I like the top best with the cropped pants and the orange sandals. It’s probably because I like flat sandals!

I assume the top is knit. They’re very easy to shorten. Just make sure the sewing thread isn’t tight, so it can stretch with the fabric. I’ve done this many times. Another option for a too long top is to tuck in a little on one side.

Irina

Veteran

Jenni, since WFH and now retirement, I do a lot less alterations. Also,as long as they make cropped bottoms, I don’t have to drag every pair to my seamstress. My seamstress works for a high end designer store and has only a few clients outside her work. Her prices are high but quality is outstanding. I’ve been trying to be very selective in what I take to her.

I made this argument before - if one wants a versatile and long lasting product, one should get it fit. I walked away from many pieces when alterations were too costly or too extensive. I know it might sound silly considering that almost all my clothes oversized anyway

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

The top has a lot of potential, Jenni! Like it best with the light bottoms and pink or metallic shoes. Such pretty Summery colours, and great with your complexion

If you were my client, you would be shortening the top a good few inches. It will make a HUGE proportional difference.

Bonnie

Veteran

That is a pretty top and works well with your sandals. I shortened a top myself by cutting, ironing a hem, and hand stitching. It looks fine and cost nothing.

unfrumped

Veteran

I agree with length issues. Not usually a problem for me with T’s because I’m long in torso & they keep making T’s shorter! But as-is I think it does not look tidy.

I might also favor shorter sleeve length- for me I’d have to try turning under to see where it should hit on my arm.

These would be simple alterations, but if you’re not DIY yore have to decide where the added cost fits in for this top- do to see it as a key player due to color palette and fabric, or would you move on to other brands that have better fit/ lengths to start with ?

NancyW

Veteran

Like it best with strappy sandals. I would also have it altered. The pattern and colors are so great on you that it might well be worth it. I have had both hem and sleeve hems altered and changed how often I wore the item. Please try the navy pants with the closed toe shoes to see if that makes the difference to your eye.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Thanks everyone for your input. I will try pinning it up and checking various lengths. When it gets warm enough for the cropped pants and sandals I might just wear it anyway. I did search quite a lot to find a pretty, bright top with pinks in it, so it wasn’t bought without thought- I tried 3 different sizes in it but the smaller sizes were not flattering width wise although they were shorter. After pinning I may get a quote on the shortening as I am not a handywoman and don’t have any family member I trust enough to re-sew the hem. Since it is only my fourth fashion purchase in the calendar year I can run to the cost, it just annoys me.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Such a pretty top and gorgeous colors on you! I also prefer it with the lighter bottoms and think a shortening would improve it a lot. You don't need a fancy tailor for this kind of job, so maybe you can find a less expensive option. I think you are worth it .

Joy

Veteran

Does it spark joy or is it a difficult color to wear?

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Oh it definitely sparks joy Joy! I had these 2 pairs of pink shoes from last Christmas- the sandals a gift from my sister after I had looked for fuchsia sandals for over a year, and the pointy pink metallic party shoes a gift to myself from myself since I couldn’t bear to leave them behind
So I was hunting for something with different bright colours preferably including pinks.
Thank you Jaime, I think I am worth it
It would probably mean I don’t second guess myself wearing the top.

BrieN

Veteran

I have shortened 5 tops this year so I know the additional expense and time that it takes. I was pleasantly surprised at the cost of the knit alteration - I think it was less than $15 US.

My question for you is what is the goal? If it’s to simply amass a closet of pretty clothes that’s one thing. If you’re trying to make a flattering and versatile wardrobe then that’s another. And yes that might mean fewer items as we all have a budget but that’s the trade-off. For me I’d rather fewer items that look just right on my very particular body.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Oh BrieN the goal was to have something in the right colours (the pink and other brights) that would make me feel cheerful when I wore it and look good with my new fuchsia sandals and be suitable for both work and weekend. As I have majorly reduced my purchases (this is only the fourth this calendar year) then I did choose it very carefully! I have been trying for years to wear all my items at least #30 wears. Being short and a bit wide does make proportions difficult to get correct.

nemosmom

Veteran

What a perfectly cheery print for Spring! The colors are great for you and go with any of the shoes. I like the pink best, but think any could work.

I agree with others on the length. If you feel non-committal, fashion tape could work.

Aquamarine

Veteran

Pretty top Jenni! I also like it best with the lighter bottoms.

It’s a simple alternation. Here in the U.S., most dry cleaners can be trusted to do a tailoring job like this. No need for a pricier tailor.

I’m short and I’ve even resorted to simply folding under some tops that were too long when I was too lazy to get them shortened. lol

Brooklyn

Veteran

Hi Jenni. I don’t mean to be controversial but I don’t think shortening a t-shirt hem is always a simple alteration. Woven fabrics are easy. Stretchy knits can be more tricky. I will do a separate post about this because it may be of general interest.

Bijou

Veteran

Jenni - I had a t-shirt shortened; it cost A$50 - the same cost as the t-shirt. I did it because it was a very cool Japanese t-shirt, and I wear it often, but that sort of alteration is reserved for something special and not my run of the mill tops.

This is a great look on you.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Thank you Brooklyn and Bijou. It is a T-shirt, from an upscale boutique though and it was not cheap. More than yours Bijou! It’s the brand that used to have a local outlet store which has sadly gone since the business was sold and the outlet store moved with the new ownership to more than 2 hours drive from me. It meant that I was at least familiar with the brand and feel it is a reliable one (actually my floral fringed tunic from my Katerina challenge post is the same brand) but sadly I will be paying full price in the future.
I will report back when I have a quote!

Sisi

Veteran

Pretty tee! I like it with the white cropped pants and the pink or green sandals - you look fresh and Summery. I would shorten the hem and also the sleeves (but that's just my taste). Of course I know that alterations are expensive. The ideal would be a friend who can sew and would do the alteration for free!

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